April 26, 2008 found us at the Blair County Convention Center in Altoona, PA for the 7th annual Spring Meeting and Benefit Auction.

Glenn Dice moderated a great session on EHD and the highlight of our program was a visit by PA Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Russell Reading. The Benefit Auction grossed over $75,000.00 for our general fund and the gun raffle over $25,000.00 for our PAC fund.

Thanks to all of you that donated and purchased items.

In my last newsletter I spoke about the current boar issue in our state. At our last board meeting in May the Board established a Hunting Ranch Council within the PDFA. This new Council is chaired by Mike Gee of Tioga Hunting Ranch, with a goal to organize the Hunting Ranches of the state so to better address the boar and future issues.

The council is beginning discussions with the PA Department of Agriculture to establish regulations for inter and intrastate movement of boar along with fencing requirements. I encourage any PDFA member that offers boar hunts to come to a monthly board meeting and get involved in the council.

The Association recently was awarded a $16,500.00 matching grant from the PA Department of Agriculture to promote deer farming. We are currently working on a TV ad campaign to promote deer farming in our state. If all goes as planned we hope to be ready to purchase air time this fall.

Plans are underway for our Fall Premier Whitetail Trophy & Breeder Sale to be held September 12 & 13, 2008 at the Blair County Convention Center. Midwest Whitetail Deer sales will once again be handling the sale and they have big plans with huge giveaways. It will be one dandy of sale you won't want to miss. You can read more about it in this newsletter.

Have great summer and I will look forward to seeing you at the Fall Sale.